Follicular fluid treatment during the follicular versus luteal phase of the menstrual cycle: Effects on corpus luteum function

Richard L. Stouffer, Gary D. Hodgen, Ann C. Ottobre, C. Donald Christian

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Administration of charcoal-extracted porcine follicular fluid (pFF) to rhesus monkeysat the time of menses impairs the subsequent function of the corpus luteum of the menstrual cycle.The following studies were performed: 1) to characterize the luteal phase defect induced by pFF treatment at menses, and 2) to determine whether pFFtreatment in the luteal phase alters corpus luteum function. Adult, female rhesus monkeyswere injected sc for 3 days with pFF (10, 5, and 5 ml) beginning on day 1 (n = 5) or day 18 (n = 4)of the menstrual cycle. Femoral venous blood was collected daily throughout the treatmentcycle and during the posttreatment cycle of day 18 to 20-treated monkeys. Serum LH, FSH, 17β-estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P)were measured by RIA. After pFF treatment on days 1–3, FSH and E2 levels in the early follicular phase were less (P < 0.05) than those of control cycles (n = 7). Serum LH was not suppressed by pFF treatment. Moreover, the preovulatory rise in circulating E2 and the amplitude of the LH/FSH surge weresimilar in control and pFF-treated monkeys. Although timely midcycle gonadotropin surges occurrred in four of five pFF-treated monkeys, serum P was markedly reduced (P < 0.05)during the first half of the luteal phase. Circulating P increased to control levels during the late luteal phase before normal onset of menses 16.3 ± 1.0(SE) days after the LH surge. Treatment with pFF on days 18–20 of the cycle reduced the levels of circulating FSH, but serum LH, E2, P, and the length of the luteal phase remained comparable to control cycles. Moreover, the hormonal patterns and the length of the follicular and luteal phases in the posttreatment cycle indicated normal ovarian function. Thus, pFF treatment at menses results in an aberrant ovarian cycle characterized by an insufficient, rather than short, luteal prjase. Whereas pFF treatment in the early follicular phase vitiates development of the dominant follicle and the related corpus luteum, similar treatment at midluteal phase does not suppress concurrent luteal function orsubsequent folliculogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1027-1033
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume58
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

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